Photographic apparatus



April 16, 1957 ERLICHMAN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l I g INVENTOR ATTORNEYS April 16, 1957 1. ERLICHMAN 2,788,722

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR FIG. 2 BY faww ATTORNEYS April 16, 1957 l. ERLlCHMAN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1956 5 Shee'tsSheet'3 FIG. 5

I INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Irving Erlichman, Natick, Mass., assignor to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Delaware Application January 11, 1956, Serial No. 558,488

26 Claims. (CI. 95-43) This invention relates to photography and more particularly to novel photographic apparatus wherein a photosensitive sheet is photoexposed and then processed by a fluid distributed between it and another sheet.

Photographic apparatus such as cameras have been proposed which are adapted to be employed with a photographic film assemblage comprising a photosensitive sheet, a second sheet superposed therewith and secured to the photosensitive sheet at the margins of the sheets, and means containing a fluid composition capable of processing the photosensitive sheet. This apparatus includes a passage through which the film assemblage is introduced and means within the passage for separating the two sheets during the introductory movement and spacing them apart so that the photosensitive sheet may be photoexposed. Following exposure of the photosensitive sheet, the two sheets are withdrawn from the apparatus through the passage, are superposed and the fluid composition is distributed between the sheets by withdrawal of the sheets between a pair of pressure-applying members associated with the passage. These pressure-applying members may comprise either the mechanism of the apparatus or elements of the film assemblage adapted to be temporarily associated with the apparatus for the purpose of processing the one film assemblage with which they are provided. It has been proposed, for example, to introduce the film assemblage into the apparatus by manually grasping and pushing the sheets and the sheets are separated from one another within the passage by advancement against the edge of a wedge-shaped member positioned within the passage so as to project between the sheets. Photographic apparatus of this type is more fully described in the copending application of Edwin H. Land, Serial No. 537,982, filed October 3, 1955.

While apparatus of the foregoing type is essentially satisfactory, the necessity for pushing the film assemblage into the camera and the likelihood that buckling of the sheets may occur present certain problems with respect to separating the two sheets and light-sealing the passage during introduction, exposure and withdrawal of the film assemblage. These problems are either solved or avoided and certain other advantages are realized by the apparatus of the present invention wherein the film assemblage is drawn or pulled, rather than pushed, through the passage into the apparatus. The present invention otters the added advantage of providing a simple and convenient means for trapping any excess liquid as the film unit is withdrawn from the apparatus so that the liquid does not accumulate on the mechanism of the apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide, in photographic apparatus such as a camera for exposing and thereafter processing a photosensitive sheet by a fluid composition distributed between said photosensitive sheet and a second sheet superposed therewith, means for drawing a film assemblage comprising a photosensitive sheet and a second sheet secured to said photosensitive sheet in Superposition therewith into said apparatus through a passage therein and for separating said sheets and spacing them apart during introductory movement of said film assemblage.

Other objects of the invention are: to provide, in apparatus of the foregoing type, at least one rotary pressureapplying member adapted to positively engage one of a pair of superposed sheets for drawing said sheets into said apparatus, separating said sheets from one another within said apparatus and, during withdrawal of said sheets, superposing them and distributing a fluid composition between said sheets; and to provide means for readily attaching the end of one of said sheets to said rotary pressure-applying member prior to introductory movement of said sheets and for automatically detaching said end from said rotary member during withdrawal of said sheets from said apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in apparatus of the above type in combination with a pair of pressure-applying members at least one of which is subject to manual rotation in one direction and rotation in the opposite direction in response to withdrawal movement of one of a pair of sheets between said members, means for automatically spacing said members apart at a predetermined position of the rotary member during its rotation in each direction.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a camera for exposing and processing photosensitive material that is simple and inexpensive in construction and convenient and easy to operate.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a camera embodying the present invention shown with a portion of the camera housing broken away;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the lower portion of the camera of Fig. 1 along a plane substantially midway between the sides of the camera and showing the mechanism of the camera together with a film unit operatively positioned within the camera;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the mechanism of the camera including a pair of rotary pressure-applying members, the section being taken along a plane substantially through the pivotal axes of the pressure-applying members;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the mechanism of the camera shown in a loading position and illustrating another operative position of the mechanism; and

Fig. 5 is a view of an element of the camera mechanism for spacing the pressure-applying members apart and shown located in position for loading the camera.

Generally the apparatus of the present invention comprises a housing having a passage through which a film unit may be introduced and means associated with the housing for photoexposing a photosensitive sheet comprising the film unit. This apparatus, in the form shown, is embodied in a camera and in this form includes, as an exposure means, a conventional lens and shutter assembly. The film unit with which the camera is employed comprises a pair of opaque generally rectangular sheets secured in superposition, preferably at their margins, one of the sheets being photosensitive and including a stratum of photosensitive material on an area of its J inner surface. A collapsible container, carrying a fluid composition capable of processing the photosensitive material when spread in a layer between the photosensitive stratum and the inner surface of the second sheet of the film unit, is provided between the sheet adjacent one edge of the photosensitive stratum. The two sheets are adapted to be separated and positioned apart from one another during introductory movement through the passage and, following exposure of the photosensitive stratum, to be withdrawn between a pair of pressure-applying members for rupturing the container and causing the spread of its fluid contents between the sheets. The pressure-applying members of the invention include a drum or roll to which one end of the second sheet introduced into the passage is attached. The drum can be manually rotated so as to I draw the two sheets into the camera, separate the photosensitive sheet from the second sheet while coiling the letter on' the drum, and positioning the photosensitive sheet for exposure. During introductory movement of the film unit, the drum and the other pressure-applying member are spaced apart at a predetermined point so as to permit the container to move between the two members in an unruptured condition. Following exposure of the photosensitive sheet, the film unit is manually grasped by a portion thereof which projects beyond the passage and is withdrawn from the camera between the pressureapplying members for spreading the fluid contents of the container in 'a thin layer between the sheets. As the end portions of the sheets are withdrawn between the pressureapplying members, the members are again spaced apart automatically so that any excess of the fluid is trapped between the end sections of the sheets. The drum is rotated during withdrawal of the sheets and is adapted to overrun its original position in such a way as to achieve the automatic detachment of the end of the second sheet from the drum as said end is withdrawn through the passage.

The apparatus of the invention is shown in the drawings as a camera comprising a housing having a forward section 10, rear section 12 and an intermediate section 14. The three sectionscomprising the housing may be fabricated, for example, from a plastic material and are so designed as to permit their manufacture by molding processes. Forward section mounts a conventional lens and shutter assembly 16 while intermediate section 14 includes rearwardly divergent side walls 18, upper wall 20 and lower wall 22 providing a light path between the lens of assembly 16 and a photosensitive sheet positioned for exposure at the rear of the housing. The rear portions of side walls 18 cooperate with the side walls of rear section 12 to form a pair of guide tracks or grooves 24 extending from top to bottom of the camera for engaging the margins of a photosensitive sheet to position the latter for exposure substantially at the focal surface of the lens of assembly 16. Forward housing section 10 includes an enlarged lower portion 26 having a rearwardly extending bottom wall 27 and cooperating with lower wall 22 and rear housing section 12 to provide a chamber 28 in the lower portion of the camera housing in which is mounted; the mechanism of the camera for processing photographic film units. Rear section 12 includes a rear wall 30 having a forwardly extending enlarged lower end section 31 joined to bottom wall 27. A passage 32 is provided at the juncture of lower end section 31 and bottomwall 27 communicating with chamber 28. Passage 32 is relatively shallow, being just deep and wide enough to permit the movement of a film unit therethrough into the camera and thereby to aid in preventing the admission of ambient light. As a further means for shielding passage 32 against the admission of light, there is provided within chamber 28 and secured to bottom wall 27 an L-shaped closure member 34 having one arm 36 extending within passage 32. Arm '36 of closure member 34 is adapted to engage a film unit located with in or moved through the passage and is resilient so that it can be deflected to allow for variations in the thickness of the film unit, The free end 38 of arm 36 is bent forward and upward so that it does not catch on a film unit during withdrawal of the latter through the passage in engagement with the arm.

A film unit adapted to be employed in the camera of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings and may be designed to effect a variety of photographic procasses, and is preferably adapted to effect a silver transfer-reversal process. This film unit, indicated at 40, comprises in superposition a photosensitive sheet 41 including an opaque support and a silver halide stratum, a print-receptive sheet 42 including an opaque support and a silver-receptive stratum, and a container 44 of an aque ous alkaline solution of a silver halide developer and a silver halide solvent to be discharged from the container and spread in a thin layer between the sheets. The edges of the sheets are sealed together in order to shield the silver halide stratum on sheet 41 from ambient light and yet to permit the edges of the sheets to be separated within the camera so that the silver halide stratum may be photoexposed. Sealing of the edges of the sheets may be accomplished, for example, by a strippable adhesive located between the margins of the sheets or preferably by an opaque binding tape. This tape is preferred since it performs the added function of spacing apart a pair of pressure-applying members so as to control the thickness of the layer of liquid spread between the sheets and prevents the liquid from escaping from between the sheets during spreading. The processing composition, when spread in a uniformly thin layer between the sheets, preferably eifectuates a silver diffusion transfer-reversal process by which a latent image in the photosensitive sheet is developed and a positive print is produced in the print-receiving sheet. Further examples of photographic materials useful in processes and film units of the foregoing type are described in detail in Patent No. 2,543,181, issued to Edwin H. Land on February 27, 1951.

The leading ends of the sheets, i. e., the ends first introduced into the camera, are preferably sealed together by an adhesive located between the leading edge portions of the sheets. Theleading end of sheet 42 is bent outward and backward to provide a flap by which sheet 42 is attached to a rotatable drum for drawing the film unit into the camera. Container 44 is positioned between the sheets along the edge of the area of sheet 41 adapted to be exposed which is closest the trailing end of the sheets. Container 44 is formed of an elongated rectangular blank of sheet material, such as a multilayer material, which is preferably oxygenand vapor-impervious. The blank is folded longitudinally and sealed along its margins, the longitudinal seal being weaker than the end seals so as to define a discharge mouth adapted to open in response to the application of compressive pressure to the walls of the container. This discharge mouth is directed toward the trailing end of the film unit and is at least equal in length to the width of the area over which the fluid contents of the container are to be spread.

The mechanism of the camera for drawing the film unit into exposure position and for spreading a fluid between the sheets of the film unit during withdrawal from the camera preferably comprises a single unit so that all the moving parts of the camera, with the exception of the lens and shutter mechanism, can be easily assembled and are readily accessible for replacement and repair. This unit is mounted in chamber 28 and comprises, in the form shown, a pair of support plates 52, a relatively large diameter roll or drum 54 and a smaller roll 56 both pivotally mounted between support plates 52. Plates 5?. are secured within chamber 28 to side walls 58 of lower portion 22 of forward section it) by such means as screws 59. Drum 54 is cylindrical and preferably of a diameter such that its circumference is substantially equal to the length of sheet 42 0f the film unit to be drawn into the camera. The drum is substantially equal in length to the width of the film unit and, in the form shown, is secured on a shaft 60 mounted for rotary movement on support plates 52 and having an end section 62 projecting exteriorly of the housing through an opening in one side wall 58. The drum comprises a cylinder formed, for example, of a plastic material or sheet metal and supported at its ends on a pair of circular disks 64 secured to shaft 60. The cylindrical surface of drum 54 is provided with a narrow axial slot 66 extending the full length of the drum and adapted to receive flap 50 on the leading end of sheet 42. Slot 66 appears, when viewed in cross section, as a portion of the chord of a circle and opens in a clockwise direction (viewing the drawings) so as to positively engage and retain sheet 42 when the drum is rotated in a clockwise direction.

Drum 54 comprises one of a pair of pressure-applying members and is mounted with its cylindrical surface substantially tangent to the path of movement of a film unit through passage 32. As a means for introducing flap 50 on sheet 42 of a film unit into slot 66 so that the film unit will be drawn into the camera through passage 32 in response to clockwise rotation of drum 54, a generally J-shaped slot 68 is provided in one of side walls 58 of the casing. The longer side of slot 68 coincides with passage 32 and the shorter side of the slot is adapted to be aligned with slot 66 in drum 54 when the latter is located in a loading position (shown in Fig. 2). The lateral edge of the leading end of the film unit is introduced into slot 68 and is moved in a direction parallel to the axis of drum 54 and normal to the direction of introductory movement into the camera.

A knob 70 is provided on end section 62 of shaft 60 for manually rotating drum 54 and may be provided with suitable indicia for indicating the loading position of the drum. In the form of camera shown, a pivotable plate 72 is provided on side wall 58 for closing slot 68 against the admission of light. Plate 72 may be urged resiliently into position closing the slot and pivoted aside manually to permit the insertion of a film unit; or knob 70 and plate 72 may be so designed as to cooperate with one another, the knob having a camming action on the plate for automatically pivoting the plate to an open position when the drum is in loading position. In another form of the invention, knob 70 may be so constructed as to cover slot 68 and is provided with a corresponding slot adapted to coincide with slot 68 when the drum is in loading position.

As a means for separating sheets 41 and 42 as they are drawn into the camera, lower wall 22 of intermediate section 14 is provided at its rear end with a wedge-shaped portion 74 extending to a point in the path of the film unit substantially in the plane of passage 32 closely adjacent the surface of drum 54. As the leading end of a film unit is drawn into the camera in response to rotation of drum 54 and sheet 42 starts to become wrapped around the drum, photosensitive sheet 41 has a tendency, due to its stifi'ness, to continue along a straight path so that its leading edge is engaged by wedge-shaped portion 74 which extends between the sheets, separating them and guiding sheet 41 into engagement with guide tracks 24 whereby it is positioned for exposure.

The second pressure-applying member of the invention may comprise any form of element having a rigid straight edge section resiliently biased toward drum 54 and, in the form shown, comprises roll 56. Each of support plates 52 is provided with a rearwardly extended section 76 having an open-ended slot 78 in which is slidably mounted a bushing 80. Roll 56 includes a pair of stub shafts 82 at its ends journaled in bushings 80. Roll 56 is movable toward and away from drum 54 by virtue of its mounting in slots 78 and is resiliently urged into juxtaposition with drum 54 by a pair of coiled tension springs 84, each secured at one of its ends to a bushing 80 and at its other end to a bracket 86 formed up from the forward portion of each mounting plate 52.

To 'draw film unit 40 into the camera and position photosensitive sheet 41 for exposure, drum 54 is rotated in a clockwise direction through substantially one full revolution from its loading position. Means are provided for arresting the rotary movement of the drum when the photosensitive sheet is in position for exposure and, in the form shown, comprises a disk 88 secured around shaft to side wall 58 between the latter and knob '76. Knob is provided with an annular recess 90 and a pin 92 projecting within this recess toward side wall 58. Disk 88 is provided with a raised collar 94 extending around the hub of knob 70 into annular recess 90 and a short projecting bracket also extending into recess 90 and spaced from the collar so that pin 92 is free to move therebetween. A single loop torsion spring 98 is secured at one end to collar 94 and extends within recess 90 around the collar. The other end portion of spring 98 is formed with a pin-engagement portion which extends outward across the gap between collar 94 and bracket 96 and around bracket 96 in such a way as to permit limited pivotal movement of the pinengagement portion or spring 98 with respect to bracket 96. Pin-engagement portion 100 is so positioned that as knob 70 and drum 54 are pivoted together in a clockwise direction, pin 92 engages the pin-engagement portion to arrest the rotation of the knob and drum when they have moved through substantially one complete revolution.

Spring 98, bracket 96 and pin 92 are so constructed as to cooperate with one another to locate drum 54 in loading position when pin 92 is between bracket 96 and collar 94 against pin-engagement portion 100. To insure retention of the pin in this position while allowing for the clockwise rotation of the drum (and pin 92), the portion or" spring 98 extending around bracket 96 and between the latter and collar 94 is provided with a detent section 102. As the film unit is withdrawn from the camera through passage 32, end flap 50 of sheet 42 is disengaged from slot 66 in drum 54 and for this purpose there is provided means permitting the overrunning of drum 54 past its loading position and for engaging flap 50 as the drum overruns its loading position in such a manner as to cause withdrawal of the flap from slot 66. In the form shown, as the film unit is withdrawn from the camera and drum 54 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, pin 92 moves between bracket 96 and collar 94 into loading position in engagement with pin-engagement portion 100 of spring 98. Due to inertia the drum continues its rotary movement and portion 100, being movable (in a counterclockwise direction) with respect to bracket 96, permits the limited continued rotation of the drum past its loading position, as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 4. Rotation of the drum is arrested when the spring reaches its limit of movement and the drum is then returned to its loading position under the bias of the torsion spring. A bracket 104 is provided secured to bottom wall 27 and includes a free end 106 overturned adjacent end 38 of arm 36 near the surface of drum 54 and the path of movement of the sheets through passage 32 so as to engage flap 50 of sheet 42 and withdraw the flap from slot 66 as the drum overruns its loading position during Withdrawal of the sheets from the camera.

Film unit 40 is adapted to be introduced into and moved through passage 32 by counterclockwise rotation of drum 54 until container 44, located between sheets 41 and 42, is advanced between drum 54 and roll 56 to a position on the inside of the drum and roll. It is important that the container be moved between the drum and roll in an unruptured condition and accordingly means are provided for automatically spacing apart the drum and roll as the container moves therebetween. In the form shown, this means comprises a pair of elongated cams 108 each mounted for free pivotal movement on shaft 60 between a support plate 52 and a disk 64 at each end of drum 54. Each disk 64 includes a projecting member 110 adapted to engage a corresponding projecting member 112 on each cam so as to rotate the cam during rotation of the drum Each projecting member 11!) is so located as to engage and rotate a earn 108 during the last portion of the rotary movement of drum 54 just as container 44- is advanced between the drum and roll 55. Each of cams 108, when rotated, is adapted to engage a bushing 30 for spacing roll 56 from drum 54 preferably 7 by an amount just suflicient to allow the movement of the film unit in the region of a container between the drum and roll without applying pressure sufiicient to rupture the container, but preferably so that the drum and roll remain in contact with the film unit to aid in preventing the admission of light into the camera. A pair of comparatively weak torsion springs 114, each coiled around shaft 60 and secured at one end to a disk 64 and at its other end to a cam 108, may be provided for urging projecting members 116 and 112 into engagement with one another. I

To insure the complete spreading of the fluid contents of container 44 in a layer of predetermined thickness over the entire exposed area of photosensitive sheet 41, the fluid is preferably supplied in an amount greater than that required and, accordingly, means must also be provided for collecting or trapping this excess fluid so that it does not collect on the camera mechanism. In the present invention, during withdrawal of the film unit and counterclockwise rotation of drum 54, projecting members 110 are adapted to engage projecting members 112 on cams 108 so as to pivot the cams in a counterclockwise direction into engagement with bushings 86 just as the leading ends of the sheets of the film unit are with drawn between the drum and roll 56. By virtue of this arrangement the drum and roll are spaced apart as the leading end portions of sheets 41 and 42 are moved between the drum and roll and excess fluid is trapped between the end portions of the sheets.

The camera of the invention is employed, for example, to produce a photographic print, by introducing the leading end of film unit 449 into passage 3'2. through slot 63 so that flap St on the leading end of print-receptive sheet 42 is engaged in slot 66 in drum 54, the latter being located in loading position. Drum 54 is then rotated in 'a clockwise direction through approximatelyone full revolution by manually grasping and rotating knob 74) until rotation of the drum is arrested by engagement of pin Q2 with pin-engagement portion 190 of spring 9-8. At this point, the two sheets have been separated, photosensitive sheet 41 is retained in position for exposure by guide tracks 24, print-receptive sheet 42 is coiled around drum 54, and container 44, secured to the print-receptive sheet, is located on the inside of drum 54 and roll 56 adjacent wedge-shaped portion 74 of lower wall 22. Following exposure of the photosensitive sheet, the trailing end of the film unit, which projects exteriorly of passage 32 when the film unit is in exposure position, is manually grasped and the film unit is withdrawn from the camera. As the film unit is withdrawn from the camera, the photosensitive and print-receptive sheets 41 andAZ are superposed and the fluid contents of container 44 are ejected therefrom and spread between the sheets. The film unit is withdrawn from the camera in one continuous motion, the fluid being spread between the sheets and flap on the end of sheet 42 being automatically disengaged from slot 66 and drum 54 so as to allow the complete withdrawal of the fihn unit from the camera. The sandwich comprising sheets 41 and 42am; a layer of the fluid composition is allowed to remain for a predetermined processing period ranging, for example, between 30 and 120 seconds at the end of which time the two sheets may be stripped apart. 7

Since certain changes may be made in the above apperatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained '8 in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In photographic apparatus for exposing and processing photosensitive sheet material, the combination of means defining a passage in said apparatus through which a photosensitive sheet, secured in superposition with a secand sheet, may be introduced into and withdrawn from .aid apparatus, a first pressure-applying member mounted for rotary movement within said apparatus adjacent one side of said passage, a second pressure-applying member. mounted adjacent the opposite side of said passage in juxtaposition with said first member, resilient means urging said second member toward said first member, said first member including means for retaining an end section of said second sheet, manually operable means for rotating said first member so as to draw said superposed sheets through said passage between said members into said apparatus, and means located adjacent the surface of said first member in the path of movement of said sheets between said members for separating said sheets and positioning them apart from one another as said sheets are drawn into said apparatus.

2. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for separating said photosensitive and second sheets comprises a wedge-shaped member positioned adjacent the surface of said first member in the path of movement of said sheets and having an edge portion so positioned as to project between said photosensitive and second sheets as said second sheet commences to be drawn around said first member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including resilient detent means for retaining said first member at a loading position wherein an end portion of said second sheet may be secured to said first member, said detent means being so constructed as to arrest the rotation in one direction of said first member during introductory movement of said sheets when said photosensitive sheet is in position for exposure, said first member being rotated in the opposite direction in response to withdrawal movement of said sheets between said first member and said second member, said detent means being resilient and so constructed as to permit the rotation of said first member in said opposite direction past said loading position and then return said first member to said loading position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circumference of said first member is substantially equal to the length of said second sheet to be drawn into said camera and includes means for limiting the rotation of said first memher to no more than one revolution for drawing said photosensitive and second sheets into said apparatus.

5. In photographic apparatus for exposing and processing photosensitive sheet material, the combination of housing means within which aphotosensitive sheet may be positioned for exposure, means defining a passage in said housing through which said photosensitive sheet, secured in superposition with a second sheet, may be intro: duced into and withdrawn from said housing, a drum mounted for rotary movement within said housing on one side of said passage, a pressure-applying member mounted adjacent the opposite side of said passage in juxtaposition with said drum, resilient means urging said pressure-applying member towardsaid drum, said drum including means for releasably securing an end section of said second sheet thereto, manually operable means for rotating said drum so as to draw said superposed sheets through said passage between said drum and memher into said housing, means located adjacent the surface of said drum in the path of movement of said sheets between said drum and member for separating said sheets during introductory movement of said sheets and positioning them apart from one another for exposure.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said pressureapplying member comprises a roll mounted for rotary 9 movement about its axis and includes means for mounting said roll and said drum with their axes located substantially in a plane, said roll being mounted for movement in said plane toward and away from said drum.

7. The apparatus of claim including resilient detent means for retaining said drum at a loading position wherein an end portion of the second sheet of a film assemblage may be secured to said drum, said detent means being so constructed as to arrest the rotation in one direction of said drum during introductory movement of said film assemblage when said photosensitive sheet is in position for exposure, said drum being rotated in the opposite direction in response to withdrawal movement of said film assemblage between said drum and said roll, said detent means being resilient and so constructed as to permit the rotation of said drum in said opposite direction past said loading position and then return said drum to said loading position, and light-shielding means located within said passage, said light-shielding means extending to a location within said passage adjacent the point on said drum where said second sheet is attached when said drum is in loading position, said light-shielding means being so constructed as to engage said second sheet during rotation of said drum in said opposite direction past said loading position for disengaging said second sheet from said drum.

8. In photographic apparatus for exposing and processing photosensitive sheet material, the combination of means defining a housing within which a photosensitive sheet may be positioned for exposure, exposure means associated with the forward portion of said housing, guide means within the rear portion of said housing for positioning a photosensitive sheet for exposure, means defining a passage at the rear of said housing communieating with said guide means and through which a photosensitive sheet, superposed with a second sheet, may be introduced into and withdrawn from said housing, a cylindrical pressure-applying member mounted for rotary movement within said housing adjacent the forward side or" said passage, a second pressure-applying member mounted adjacent the rear side of said passage in juxtaposition with said cylindrical member, resilient means urging said second member forward toward said cylindrical member, said cylindrical member including means for attaching an end section of said second sheet thereto, manually operable means for rotating said cylindrical member so as to draw said superposed sheets through said passage between said members into said apparatus, and means located adjacent the surface of said cylindrical member in the path of movement of said sheets between said members for separating said sheets as they are introduced into said apparatus and positioning said second sheet apart from said photosensitive sheet during exposure of the latter.

9. In photographic apparatus adapted to be employed with a film assemblage comprising a photosensitive sheet, a second sheet secured in superposition with said photosensitive sheet and a rupturable container secured between said sheets and adapted to discharge its contents when subjected to compressive pressure, the combination of means defining a passage in said apparatus through which said film assemblage may be introduced into and withdrawn from said apparatus, a cylindrical pressureapplying member mounted for rotary movement within said apparatus adjacent one side of said passage, a second pressure-applying member mounted adjacent the opposite side of said passage in juxtaposition with said cylindrieal member, resilient means urging said second mem ber toward said cylindrical member, said cylindrical member including means for securing an end section of said second sheet to said cylindrical member, manually operable means for rotating said cylindrical member so as to draw said film assemblage through said passage between said members into said apparatus, means located adjacent the surface of said cylindrical member in the path of movement of said film assemblage between said members for separating said photosensitive sheet from said second sheet and positioning them apart from one another as said sheets are moved into said apparatus, and cam means mounted coaxially with said cylindrical member for rotation independently of said cylindrical member, the latter including engagement means for engaging and rotating said cam means during rotation of said cylindrical member, said cam means being so constructed as to enact during its rotary movement with portions of said second pressure-applying member for spacing it apart from said cylindrical member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said engagement means are so positioned as to cause said cam means to space said second pressure-applying member apart from said cylindrical member as the container of said film assemblage is drawn between said members to prevent the application of compressive pressure to said container.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the circumference of said cylindrical member is substantially equal to the length of said second sheet to be drawn into said apparatus and includes means for limiting the rotation of said cylindrical member to no more than one revolution for drawing said photosensitive and second sheets into said apparatus.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said cylindrical member is rotated in a first direction for drawing said film assemblage into said apparatus and is rotated in a second direction in response to withdrawal of said film assemblage from said apparatus, said engagement means being so constructed and positioned as to cause said cam means to space said second pressure-applying member apart from said cylindrical member during rotation of the latter in said second direction as the ends of said sheets, first introduced into said apparatus, are withdrawn therefrom between said members.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 including means for releasably retaining said cylindrical member at a loading position at which an end portion of the second sheet of a film assemblage may be secured to said cylindrical member, the last-named means being so constructed as to arrest the rotation of said cylindrical member during introductory movement of said film assemblage when said photosensitive sheet is in position for exposure.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for separating said sheets comprises a Wedge-shaped member positioned adjacent the surface of said cylindrical member in the path of movement of said sheets and tapering to an edge so positioned as to project between said photosensitive and second sheets as said second sheet commences to be drawn around said cylindrical member.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 including resilient detent means for retaining said cylindrical member at a loading position wherein an end portion of said second sheet may be secured to said cylindrical member, said detent means being so constructed as to arrest the rotation in one direction of said cylindrical member during introductory movement of said sheets when said photosensitive sheet is in position for exposure, said cylindrical member being rotated in the opposite direction in response to Withdrawal movement of said sheets between said cylindrical member and said second pressure-applying member for distributing the fiuid contents of said container be tween said sheets, said detent means being resilient and so constructed as to permit the rotation of said cylindrical member in said opposite direction past said loading position and then return said cylindrical member to said loading position.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 including resilient detent means for retaining said cylindrical member at a loading position wherein an end portion of said second sheet may be secured to said cylindrical member, said detent mean-s being so constructed as to arrest the rotation in one direction of said cylindrical member during introductory movement of said sheets when said photosensitive sheet is in position for exposure, said cylindrical member being rotated in the opposite direction in response to withdrawal movement of said sheets between said cylindrical member and said second pressure-applying member for distributing the fluid contents of said container between said sheets, said detent means being resilient and so constructed as to permit the rotation of said cylindrical member in said opposite direction past said loading position and then return said cylindrical member to said loading position, and light-shielding means located within said passage, said light-shielding means extending to a location within said pas-sage adjacent the point on said cylindrical member, when said cylindrical member is in loading position, at which said second sheet is attached, said light-shielding means being so constructed as to engage said second sheet during rotation of said cylindrical member in said opposite direction past said loading position for disengaging said second sheet from said cylindrical member.

17. In photographic apparatus adapted to be employed with a film assemblage comprising a photosensitive sheet, a second sheet secured in superposition with said photosensitive sheet and a rupturable container secured between said sheets and carrying a fluid composition capable of processing said photosensitive sheet, the combination of housing means within which said film assemblage may be positioned for exposure, means defining a passage in said housing through which said film assemblage may be introduced into and withdrawn from said housing, a cylindrical drum, a roll, means for mounting said roll and said drum on opposite sides of said pas-sage for rotary movement about their axes and with their axes located substantially in a plane, said roll being mounted for movement in said plane toward and away from said drum, resilient means urging said roll toward said drum, said drum including means for releasably securing an end section of said second sheet thereto, manually operable means for rotating said drum so as to draw said film assemblage through said passage between said drum and member into said housing, means within said housing located adjacent the surface of said drum in the path of movement of said filrn assemblage between said drum and roll for separating said sheets during introductory movement of said assemblage and pos them apart from one another during exposure of sai photosensitive sheet, said film assemblage being adapted to be withdrawn from said apparatus between said drum and said roll whereby compressive pressure is applied to said assemblage for distributing the 1 id contents of said container between said sheets.

18. The photographic apparatus of claim 17 wherein said drum includes an axial slot in its surface capable of receiving and retaining the end section of said second sheet, said drum having a loading position at which said second sheet may be attached to said drum by introducing said end section into said slot, said slot, when said drum is in loading position, lying substantially in a plane located at an acute angle with respect to the plane of said passage. 7

19. The photographic apparatus of claim 18 including means for relcasably' retaining said drum in loading position, means for arresting'the rotation in one direction of said drum during introductory movement of the film assemblage when said photosensitive sheet is in exposure position, said drum being rotated in the opposite direction in response to withdrawal of said sheets from said housing, and means permitting said drum to rotate in said opposite direction past its loading position during withdrawal of said sheets from said apparatus through said passage whereby said end section of said second sheet is withdrawn from said slot, the last-named means returning said drum to its loading position following withdrawal of said end section from said slot.

20. The photographic apparatus of claim 17 wherein said means for separating said photosensitive and second sheets comprises a wedge-shaped member positioned adjacent the surface of said drum in the path of movement of said sheets and having an edge portion so positioned as to project between said photosensitive and second sheets as said second sheet commences to be drawn around said drum.

21. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the circumference of said drum is substantially equal to the length of said second sheet to be drawn into said camera and includes means for limiting the rotation of said drum to substantially one revolution for drawing said photosensitive and second sheets into said apparatus.

22. The apparatus of claim 17 including resilient detent means for retaining said drum at a loading position wherein an end portion of said second sheet may be secured to said drum, said detent means being so constructed as to arrest the rotation in one direction of said drum dur ing introductory movement of said sheets when said photosensitive sheet is in position for exposure, said drum being rotated in the opposite direction in response to withdrawal movement of said sheets between said drum and said roll for distributing the fluid contents of said container between said sheets, said detent means being resilient and so constructed as to permit the rotation of said drum in said opposite direction past said loading position and then return said drum to said loading position.

23. The apparatus of claim 17 including resilient detent means for retaining said drum at a loading position wherein an end portion of said second sheet may be secured to said drum, said detent means being so constructed as to arrest the rotation in one direction of said drum during introductory movement of said sheets when said photosensitive sheet is in position for exposure, said drum being rotated in the opposite direction in response to withdrawal movement of said sheets between said drum and said roll for distributing the fluid contents of said container between said sheets, said detent means being resilient and so constructed as to permit the rotation of said drum in said opposite direction past said loading position and then return said drum to said loading position, and light-shielding means located within said passage, said light-shielding means extending to a location within said passage adjacent the point on said drum, when said drum is in loading position, at which said second sheet is attached, said light-shielding means being so constructed as to engage said second sheet during rotation of said drum in said opposite direction past said loading position for disengaging said second sheet from said drum.

24. In photographic apparatus adapted to be employed with a film assemblage comprising a photosensitive sheet and a second sheet secured in superposition with said photosensitive sheet and having an end portion folded back upon itself at an acute angle, the combination of housing means within which a photosensitive sheet may be positioned for exposure, means defining a passage in a side wall of said housing through which said film assemblage may be introduced into and withdrawn from said housing, a drum mounted for rotary movement within said housing adjacent one side of said passage, 2. roll mounted adjacent the opposite side of said passage in juxtaposition with said drum, resilient means urging said roll toward said drum, said drum having a narrow slot in its surface extending substantially from end to end thereof and being capable of receiving the folded end portion of said second sheet, said drum having a loading position at which said slot is located substantially in a plane positioned at an acute angle with respect to the plane of said passage, a generally J-shaped slot in an end wall of said housing adjacent one end of said drum and said passage, one side of said J-shaped slot coinciding with said passage and the other side of said J-shaped slot being aligned with the slot in said drum when said drum is in loading position whereby the end section of said film assemblage can be introduced through said J- shaped slot into said passage with said folded end section of said second sheet secured within said slot in said drum, manually operable means for rotating said drum with said second sheet attached so as to draw said film assemblage through said passage between said drum and roll into said apparatus, and means located adjacent the surface of said drum in the path of movement of said film assemblage between said members for separating said photosensitive sheet from said second sheet and positioning said sheets apart from one another as said second sheet commences to be drawn around said drum.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 including movable closure means associated with said side wall of said housing for preventing the admission of light through said J- shaped slot into said housing.

26. In a camera for exposing and processing photosensitive sheet material by a liquid distributed thereon, the combination of means defining a housing within which a photosensitive sheet may be positioned for exposure, exposure means associated with the forward portion of said housing, guide means within the rear portion of said housing for positioning a photosensitive sheet for exposure, means defining a passage at the rear of said housing in an end wall thereof communicating with said guide means and through which a photosensitive sheet, superposed with a second sheet, may be introduced into and Withdrawn from said housing, a cylindrical drum mounted for rotary movement within said housing forward of said passage, a roll mounted at the rear of said passage in juxtaposition with said drum, resilient means urging said roll forward toward said drum, the latter including means for attaching an end section of said second sheet thereto, manually operable means for rotating said drum so as to draw said superposed sheets through said passage between said members into said camera, and means located adjacent the surface of said drum in the path of movement of said sheets between said drum and roll for separating said sheets as they are introduced into said camera and positioning said second sheet apart from said photosensitive sheet during exposure of the latter.

No references cited. 

